Collapsible tree form for christmas cards and the like



y 1958 R. E. MAPLE 2,841,901

COLLAPSIBLE TREE FORM FOR CHRISTMAS CARDS AND THE LIKE Filed March 9 1956 2 Sheets-Sheer l Fig. I

INVENTOR. RONALD E. MAPLE July 8, 1958 R. E. MAPLE 2,841,901

COLLAPSIBLE TREE FORM FOR CHRISTMAS CARDS AND THE LIKE Filed March 9, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet WWIIIII I/ll .INVENTOR. RONALD E. MAPLE COLLAPSIBLE TREE FORM FOR CHRISTMAS CARDS AND THE. LIKE Ronald E. Maple, San Diego, Calif. Application March 9, 1956, Serial No. 570,622

3 Claims. (Cl. 40-124) The present invention relates generally to display holders and more particularly to a collapsible support for displaying Christmas cards and the like.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a collapsible support for attractive display of Christmas cards, the support simulating a Christmas tree in shape, especially when substantially fully covered with cards.

Another object of this invention is to provide a holder which can be electrified and illuminated, the novel means for securing the cards on the form having a secondary function in illumination of the cards.

Another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible holder of the aforementioned character which is easily assembled and disassembled for transportation or storage between seasonal usage.

Another object of this invention is to provide a holder which is adapted for fabrication from many different materials, so that the choice of material can be according to the dictates of vailability and price considerations, the exact sizes and proportions being matters easily deter-- mined to suit particular conditions and needs.

Another object of this invention is to provide a holder which is practicable and inexpensive to manufacture.

Finally, it is an object to provide a collapsible form of the aforementioned character which is simple, safe and convenient to use and which will give generally eflicient and durable service.

With these and other objects definitely in view, this invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements and portions, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification, particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the drawings which form a material part of this disclosure, and in Which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the collapsible support, portions being removed for a clear presentation of the arrangement of internal portions.

Figure 2 is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view of the helical member and showing the preferred means of attaching a Christmas card or the like thereto, the card being shown only fragmentarily.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, exploded, perspective View of the device and showing the means of engagement between component parts.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device having a plurality of cards or the like secured thereon.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of a modification of the device.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2, greatly reduced in e and showing the means of attaching a card to the d form Figure 5.

Similar characters of reference indicate similar or identical elements and portions throughout the specification and throughout the views of the drawing.

Many types of forms, racks, and trays have been developed for attractively displaying Christmas cards and the like and in some instances, general illumination for the cards arrayed thereon has been provided. However, these prior art holders are unwieldly and difiicult to assemble and disassemble, and individual illumination of the cards is not provided. The instant invention provides an easily assembled and disassembled structure on which cards may be suspended, closely adjacent to each other or even overlapping and which holds said cards in a generally conical arrangement, roughtly simulating and suggesting a Christmas tree. In the preferred form, the instant invention also provides for simple and effective illumination as well as display of individual cards suspended therefrom, furthering the simulation of an illuminated Christmas tree.

In reference now be had to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, the preferred form of the instant invention may be seen as comprising a base 10, a hollow, cylindrical standard 12 engaging the base 10 and vertically extended therefrom, and a resilient, helical member 14 supported on the top of the standard 12 and extending downwardly with the standard as an axis.

The base 10 comprises simply a disc 18 of wood or other suitable material and is provided with an axial bore 20 therethrough, the upper portion of the bore 20 being enlarged to form a socket or seat 22 to receive the lower end of the standard 12. A radial channel 24 in the lower surface of the base 10, communicates with the bore 29 to allow a 2-wire conductor cord 26 to extend therethrough and enter the standard 12.

The standard 12 is provided with an internal seat 30, inwardly of the upper end, to allow a cylindrical female plug 32 to rest securely thereon, said plug 32 being of a diameter to frictionally engage the standard 12.

The helical member 14 comprises a resilient, insulative sheath 38 provided with a male plug 40 rigidly attached to the inner end thereof, this plug 4! also functioning as a support for the upper end of the helical member on the upper end of the standard 12 when the plug 40 is engaged with the female plug 32. Two insulated conductors 42 within the sheath 38 are substantially coextensixe therewith. The lowermost coil or turn 44 of the member 14 may be maintained substantially horizontal if care is taken to place only light weight cards thereon, it being obvious that the weight of the member itself and the weight of cards placed thereon will result in sufficient sagging of the outer coils to result in assumption of a generally conical or tree form. The end of the helix is secured as at 45.

As a means to strengthen the engagement between the plug 40 and the plug 32, the plug 32 is recessed below the upper end of the standard, thus forming an annular shoulder 50 extending above the uppermost end of the plug 32. The plug 40, being in frictional engagement with the shoulder 50 as well as engagement with the plug 32, prevents inadvertent dislodgcment and misalignment of the helical member 14.

The cord 26 is provided with a male plug 56, on the end remote from the plug 32, for engagement with a conventional convenience outlet (not shown in the drawings), thus providing electrical energy to the conductors 42.

A plurality of Christmas cards 60 and the like, suspended in closely spaced, overlapping relation along the body 14, provide weight deflecting the member 14 into a position as indicated by dash lines in Figure l, or possibly to a position at which the cards 60 suspended on the lowermost coil 44 contact the supporting surface d2. Thus, it can be clearly seen that the plurality of cards 60 retained by the member 14 present a roughly tree-shaped, or at least conical, vari-colored appearance which is attractive, while holding the cards 60 readily accessible for individual observation.

Reference is now made specifically to Figure 2 wherein Patented July 8, 1958'- thepreferred means for'attaching a card 60 or the like to the. helical member 14 is-illustrated. Sharpened, prong contacts 64 of a glow lamp 66 perforate a card 64), the sheath 38, and the insulation of the conductors 42, to contactthe conductors 42, holding'the card 'tl'firmly in position, and energizing the lamp 66, which provides individualillumination for the card-60.

Referring now to Figures and 6, a modified form of the invention is shown as comprising a base 70 having an axial socket corresponding to the socket 22, a cylindrical'standard 74 engaged. therein and extending vcrti cally upward therefrom, and a helical member 76 of resilient wire or the like engaging the top-of the standard 74. The upper end of the member 76 is bent as at '78 to extend vertically downward, engaging an axial socket 80 in the end of the standard 74. The end "17 of the member 76 is secured to constitute a closed circular coil adjacent the base 70.

In this modification, spring clips 82 are preferred to suspend the cards 60 from the member 76, but many devices'such as colored, plastic clothes pins or the like may be used.

The operation of this invention will be clearly comprehended from a consideration of the foregoing description of the mechanical details thereof, taken in connection with the drawing and the above recited objects. It will be obvious that all said objects are amply achieved by this invention.

Further description would appear to be unnecessary.

It is understood that minor variation from the form of the invention disclosed herein may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the specification and drawing are to be considered as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim:

1. A collapsible tree form for Christmas cards and the like comprising; a base; an upright standard removably mounted on said base; and a resilient card support member of generally helical form-mounted at the center thereof on the top of said standard; said member comprising an elongated resilient sheath having two insulated elec- .4 trical conductors coextensive therewith and enclosed therein means for. securing and illuminatinga cardfon said member comprising a lamp having prong terminals capable of insertion through a card and said sheath to contact said conductors.

2. A collapsible tree form for Christmas cards and the like comprising; a base; an upright standard removably mounted on said base; and'a resilient card support member of generally helical form mounted at the center thereof on the top of said standard; said member comprising an elongated resilient sheath having two insulated electrical conductors substantially coextensive therewith and enclosed therein; and including glow lamps having the prongs thereof sharpened and elongated to perforate and to span cards to be supportedthereby, and piercing said sheath to contact said conductors, thereby energizing said lamps and providing individual illumination of said cards as well as affixing said cards to said member.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said member has a disconnect plug at the top of said standard; and said standard is hollow to receive electrical lead wires connected to said plug; said base having a seat to receive the lower end of said standard in frictional engagement; whereby the apparatus is adapted to be completely knocked down and collapsed for storage and transportation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 275,601 Cutter Apr. 10, 1883 616,951 Mensch Jan. 3, 1899 725,711 Howes Apr. 21, 1903 1,823,021 Becker Sept. 15, 1931 2,108,002 Smith et a1 Feb, 8, 1938 2,113,038 Thalinger Apr. 5, 1938 2,188,529 Corina Jan. 30, 1940 2,447,856 Hazelton Aug. 24, 1948 2,483,351 Richardson Sept. 27, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,047,481 France July 22, 1953 

